Revival

Unveiling God's Glory

Subject: The Transfiguration of Jesus

Scripture: Luke 9:28-30 "Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."

Reflection: Mountain top experiences are also a part of God's plan to unveil His glory and provide strength for the day by day encounters in the market place. They help us to walk the way of submission and sacrifice as we hear His voice. Be reminded too, it is in the valley where the lilies grow. Live in His Glory on the mountain top and in the valley, both provide great lessons to usher us on into victory!

"Glory" in Hebrew is Kabod which means heavy or weighty. Have you experienced the presence of the Lord when it has been hard to stand? I have experienced His strong and powerful presence, and it is always wonderful!

"Glory" in Greek is Doxa, which means in simple terms, that which gives a proper opinion of someone or something. God's glory reveals to us who God is and gives us a proper opinion of who He is. The Word says that even "the heavens are telling of the Glory of God..."

The Transfiguration gives us the appearance of His glory:

Nearing the crucifixion of Jesus, He leaves Caesarea Philippi and travels about fourteen miles to Mt Hermon with Peter, James and John; Jesus often went to the mountain to pray however, this mountain trip was a little different. While Jesus was praying, the Glory cloud appeared which has always been a part of Israel's history. In the Old Testament it was the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that led the Israelites. This same cloud covered and filled the Tabernacle, it descended when the tablets of the law where given to Moses. This Glory cloud appeared when Solomon dedicated the Temple. Now, here is the same cloud appearing on Mt. Hermon sealing the approval of God's son with what He was commissioned to do. Jesus knew He was in the will of the Father and He must go on to His destination, the cross of Calvary.

Here on this mountain Jesus was transfigured and His appearance changed, light came from His body and glowed outward. That, my friends, is a Mountain Top experience, when the Glory of the Lord is present. This occurrence represents the picture of the Son of Man wrapped in the Glory of God. What a great hope for now and the future that the fulfillment of all of His Glory is not just past and present but is also futuristic as stated in the Bible, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then recompense every man according to His deeds" (Mt. 16:27).

On this mountain top Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus, it was only fitting that they would be there to embark upon the New Covenant with Jesus. It was the dawning of a New Day. Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets, but now the Old Covenant was being fulfilled in Jesus' death. While Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus on the mountain, where were Peter, James and John? The Bible says, "The disciples had been overcome with sleep." Like the disciples, God wants to reveal His Glory and we at times find ourselves seeking our own leisure and fail to be attentive to what He is saying or doing. Then when it comes time for discernment we haven't a clue as to what God is up to.

When the disciples awoke from their slumber, Peter was afraid and not really understanding what he was saying, he suggested they make a monument to Moses, Elijah and Jesus. Moses and Elijah were powerful subjects of God but they were never to be equal with Jesus. Peter should have been quiet but, being impetuous and a man of action, he made a mistake. He wanted to just linger there and make a monument. Have you felt that way when times with God have been so overwhelming, you just want to stay and not leave? At that moment, the Glory Cloud covered the disciples and God said, "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." God corrected Peter by removing Moses and Elijah, and Jesus was standing alone. We can learn from Peter's mistake by being still and listening. Just as God has spoken in the past through the prophets, He wanted to remind Peter that He was now speaking through Jesus. "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." Isa. 60:1

Prayer:

Lord, we want your Glory to be revealed in us. Just like the Glory Cloud covered each one in the scripture today, cover us Lord through and through with your Glory. Talk to us and let us recognize only what you have called us to do. We yield to you and want to make a difference in the World you have called us to. Our faces are unveiled, we want to see your Glory, now transform us daily into the same image from glory to glory, as your Spirit reigns over us. Like Moses cried, "Lord show us your Glory."

Scriptures:

Like Moses and Paul...."I pray Thee, show me Thy glory! And enlighten the eyes of heart so that I may know what are the riches of the glory of Thy inheritance in the saints." (Ex. 33:18, Eph 1:16)

"O God, you are My God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is not water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:1-3

"...but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

"Now the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken" Isa. 40:5

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Hab.2:14

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery among which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27